“You’ve got this, Mama. Honour where you are at. Be proud of your journey so far. You are enough. You are strong. You are beautiful.”

That’s how Emily from Payne Therapies signs off - and when you read her story, you’ll know she means every word.

I sat down with Emily to hear how her passion for movement and recovery became a powerful business supporting mums through the hardest, most beautiful phase of life: the postpartum period.

From Teen Athlete to Mum Supporting Mums

Emily’s love for Pilates started young - age 13, to be exact. “It became a constant in my life,” she says. That early passion grew into a career in Myotherapy and movement, but things shifted when she noticed a gap.

“There just wasn’t enough out there for mums to move with their baby in tow,” she explains. So she created a space where movement and motherhood could coexist - where smelly nappy changes, feeds, and fussy babies were welcomed, not judged.

At Payne Therapies, mums can stretch, sweat and reconnect with their bodies - all while knowing they’re in a space designed for them.

A Week in the Life: Chaos, Coffee and Kindness

Life is full for Emily. Between her kids, clients and studying for her Diploma of Pilates (which she started while pregnant), her days don’t follow a predictable rhythm. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m living two dreams, not doing two jobs,” she laughs.

Still, even with her village of support — her husband, family and a top-notch teaching team - burnout can creep in. “Last November I hit what felt like rock bottom,” she shares honestly. “A six-month-old, business stress, back to study, my toddler going through big changes… I just felt pulled in every direction.”

Emily’s story is raw and relatable. And it’s what so many mums feel but are too afraid to say. She’s learned that asking for help, setting boundaries, and finding space to move aren’t luxuries - they’re survival.

Real Talk: The Postpartum Myths We Need to Break

As a Myotherapist and Pilates teacher, Emily sees firsthand what mums are up against - physically and emotionally.

Here are her top truths about postpartum recovery:

1. The 6-week check is not a green light to go all in.
“So many mums get the all clear and think they can jump back into what they were doing pre-baby. But your body has changed. It needs care and time.”

2. Listening to your body is not enough.
“Yes, tune in. But also get professional support - especially from a pelvic health physio - to understand what’s happening internally.”

3. Movement can be small and still powerful.
Got 5 minutes? Emily recommends:

• Stretch: Neck and pec stretches (hello, breastfeeding shoulders)
  

• Strength: Side-lying clams to reconnect with your hips
  

For Mums Who Are Overwhelmed (So, All of Us)

Emily gets it. She’s lived it. And that’s why her approach is rooted in reassurance and realness.

If you’re nervous to move again, Emily suggests:

• Starting small with a basic home program
  

• Booking a private session for personalised support
  

• Surrounding yourself with people who see and understand you
  

“Mums need to know they’re not alone,” she says. “That first step back into movement isn’t about losing weight or snapping back - it’s about reconnecting with who you are now.”

Her Go-To Tools? Spoiler: Bubka Is One of Them

When we asked what makes her life a little easier, Emily lit up.

“My Bubka Move saved me so many times - when I had to fill in for classes last minute or travel to Melbourne to study. I couldn’t have got to one year of breastfeeding without it.”

That, plus a colour-coded to-do list, a supportive village, and a teacher team she trusts with her whole heart.

Community First, Always

What drives Emily after a decade in business? It’s not numbers. It’s people.

“I’ve had clients say, ‘Emily, this space is my safe space. I could not imagine my week without it.’ That’s everything.”

At Payne Therapies, they laugh, cry, hug and heal - together. And while the focus might be on postpartum care, the impact is far deeper.

Final Words from Emily

To every mum reading this, Emily wants you to know:

“It’s okay to have ebbs and flows. Weeks where you’re thriving and weeks where you’re just surviving. Both are normal. What matters most is that you look after you in the process.”

Payne Therapies is a pilates studio based in Mt Duneed in Victoria, Australia.

Look out for our latest instagram post on all things pumping and pilates with Payne Therapies!